Trying to keep track of Brad Richardson last season was a bit like a Kings version of “Where’s Waldo?”
Where’s Richardson? Depending on the day, week, injuries or position of the moon, Richardson could have been found anywhere from the first line to the fourth line, playing left wing or center, and that type of movement is unlikely to dramatically change this season.
Richardson has started out camp on a potential fourth line, playing left wing next to center Trevor Lewis and right winger Kevin Westgarth. But Richardson, who had 11 goals and 16 assists in 81 games last season, could end up elsewhere before long, coach Terry Murray said.
“Yeah, I wouldn’t look too hard at that one,” Murray said of Richardson’s training-camp line. “Again, I’m looking at (Scott) Parse. I want to give him a great opportunity. I know Richardson had that role last year, the utility player to move around, kind of like Peter Harrold. Richie is where he is right now. He’s just going to work through training camp, and if anybody slips, I know that he can play center, he can play left wing, and he’s a very versatile, good player to have. He’s going to contribute on the penalty killing. He’s an important player to have.”
Richardson, who is 25 and entering his sixth NHL season (third with the Kings) is still looking for a regular position and role in the NHL, but said he’s not frustrated by the frequent movement. For now, he’s just going where he’s told, and said he hasn’t really spoken with Muray about what role he might fill this season.
“To be honest, we haven’t had a whole lot of talk yet,” Richardson said. “I assume that will come in the near future. I’ll just do whatever I can, and wherever I fit in, that’s fine. I’ll just work hard to be a good teammate and hopefully work my way up.
“I feel comfortable at any position, any of the three forward positions, so wherever I end up, that’s fine with me.”
Richardson made huge strides as a two-way player last season and even gave the Kings some quality games on the first line. Richardson’s career high for goals is 14, and if he can boost his goal total a bit from last season, the Kings would benefit greatly.
“I tried to work on my skating and quickness,” Richardson said of his summer work. “It feels good, but you can always try to get better at that. Also my strength. I’m trying to create some stuff out of the corners more often, more offense. A lot of shootings. You try to work on everything, but there’s a bit difference when you get to camp. It’s a lot more intense. It’s something you try to train for, but when you get back here, that’s when the work really begins.”
Still remember his amazing blind shot (while spinning off the boards) goal against Luongo in Game 3 — maybe one of my favorite moments of last season.
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Sorry for the off-topic question, but Are any of the Preseason games going to be broadcast on TV or internet? I know NHL network is broadcasting preseason games tomorrow but they don’t have any king games scheduled. Would be nice to see some game action!
Thanks.
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kylecliffordfan Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 5:59 pm
@Mike L,
Whats really lame is that the NHL network is showing lots of pre-season games starting tomorrow. The only proble is, none have the los angeles Kings playing…
I don’t get it??? We are one of the biggest markets and no games..
It sux..
Check out the link for 35 games being showed..
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=538104
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Sako A. Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 6:27 pm
@kylecliffordfan,
Not even the FrozenFury….weak
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EJ Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 6:42 pm
@kylecliffordfan, think about it for a minute. If Fox Sports West is not setting up to broadcast, how can the NHL Network broadcast any King games??? They simply take the feeds from regional broadcasters, when and where they are available. If you want to bitch, bitch to Fox Sports. They’ll politely listen and then go back about their business.
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Skebo Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 7:30 pm
@EJ, or you can bitch and they won’t politely listen. Do you remember their responses to the complaints about the “Rinkside View” HD broadcasts?
kylecliffordfan Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 7:34 pm
@EJ,
Hey ej, think about it for a minute.
Last time I checked the Kings play other teams and it doesn’t have to be the kings broadcast on the nhl network. Some of the games are being covered by tsn in Canada.
Some of us watch Kings on the NHL package and guess what.. I know you will be surprised, it’s not FSW or Prime ticket!
And for you question, about is FSW is not setting up how can the NHL broadcast it… Well if I didn’t already answer you question, here is an eye opener for you… EVERY NHL CITY HAS IT”S OWN FOX SPORTS NETWORK! it’s not just Fox sports west.. lol.. and TSN broadcast preseason games as well.
PRMan Reply:
September 21st, 2010 at 5:18 am
@EJ, TSN isn’t covering the Kings either. The NHL Network has no feed to pull from.
September (Pre-Season)
DATE EVENT ET NETWORK/VOD
Wednesday, September 22 Ottawa @ Toronto 7pm TSN
Thursday, September 23 Tampa Bay @ Edmonton 9pm TSN
Tuesday, September 28 Buffalo vs. Ottawa (Dundas, ON) 7pm TSN
Tuesday, September 28 Phoenix @ Calgary 9:30pm TSN
Wednesday, September 29 Vancouver @ San Jose 10:30pm TSN
Thursday, September 30 Buffalo @ Montreal 7:30pm TSN
EJ Reply:
September 21st, 2010 at 11:35 am
@kylecliffordfan, go back and read your original post. You were whining about no PRE-SEASON King games being televised by the NHL Network. And as a subscriber to Center Ice since the inception of the damned thing, I don’t need you to preach at me about what games are being covered by whom. And as far as the pre-season goes, just how many games are the Avs, Yotes, and Ducks televising? Yeah, if you’d bother to look, it’s zero, just like the Kings. These teams have a hard enough time putting butts in the seats for any pre-season game, and you want them to televise and keep even more people at home???
RICH,
Have there been any scraps in training camp? sometimes players are trying to make a name for themselves and these things happen. I was watching sportsnet in cananda and saw that there have been a couple in the leafs traing camp. Also saw one in the satrs and Blawkhawks camps.
Just wondering if its getting a bit intense out there, with players fighting for Jobs?
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That is one tough fourth line
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All this talk about who is on what line is funny….TM changes lines more often then (insert your own joke here)
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Hi Rich, just want to get your thoughts on what the kings are doing about some sloppy line changes last season?
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A very under-rated player by most fans. I true favorite of mine. He is kind of there for the first forward who dares not put out 100% or gets injured. If he ends up on the 4th line, then we’ll have one dam good 4th line.
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Gislaw Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 7:59 pm
@KC23,
I was going to post the exact same comment…well said, and I agree 100%.
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KC23;totally agree .Neil hope its not as crazy on line changing.
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Rich, “Where’s Waldo” was used last season to describe Randy Jones being out of defensive position. Needless to say, that phrase was used often. I think Richardson deserves a more positive phrase to recognize his versatility. I hope Richie ends up on a line with some offensive talent.
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Sebastian Reply:
September 21st, 2010 at 8:49 am
@Bruce, I agree, I really liked the Richardson-Stoll-Brown line that Murray had together for a few games last season, not sure why he split them up.
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Saying Richardson is comfortable playing all three forward positions is an understatement, but I swear the couple games I went to last year I saw him selling hot dogs, out on the ice with the Bailey between periods, scanning tickets. I think I even saw him flying the blimp in the Staples Center!
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We are pretty fortunate to have a player like Richie on this team! He definitely proved he is ready night in and night out to play anywhere TM asks. You can’t have enough two way players on your team if you ask me…especially one who has as much offensive upside as Richie does. To score goals in the NHL is tough enough, but to score 14 in all types of situations and lines says a lot!
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